Fredericksburg, TX 78624 - Gillespie County

Encompassing 422 acres just 15 minutes north of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, CH Ranch offers the desirable, but rare combination of privacy and accessibility.

For anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city for a weekend or a lifetime, the low-fenced ranch is less than 1 hours from San Antonio and Austin. With about 853 feet of frontage on Highway 16 as well as a private easement, the coming and going is easy.

Large ranches adjoin the CH Ranch on three sides, creating an oasis of elbow room and privacy in one of the states most sought-after locations.

A gravel road leads from the private easement to the main improvements. Ranch roads provide access throughout the ranch for either a truck or ATV.

The Land, Water and Wildlife

The terrain gently undulates creating hidden nooks and crannies. It's not a property that shows all its secrets in a single glance. The ranch's elevation ranges from 1,300 feet at the lowest point to 1,755 feet at the highest point atop Solomon Mountain. Points throughout the ranch provides magnificent views as the Hill Country unfolds in eye-catching vistas.

Most of the cedar has been cleared from the front section, showcasing the heritage live oaks that dot the property and line the two seasonal creeks. In the creek bottoms, willows are also part of the mix. The back portion of the property retains the feel of untouched native habitata combination of cedar, mesquite and oaksthat provide food and shelter for wildlife. In their season, wildflowers blanket the strong soil in a vibrant, multi-hued quilt of color.

The ranch, which has not been hunted in 30 years, is home to white-tailed deer, turkey and feral hogs. Non-game species include ringtail cats, armadillos and rabbits. Coyotes sing to the moon.

A former coastal Bermuda hayfield provides a large clearing that could be reinvigorated as farm ground or repurposed as a wildlife food plot. A mesa, situated at the back of the property, delivers the chance to climb and enjoy a view that stretches all the way to Enchanted Rock. An old, stacked stone German fence decorates the mesas top and bridges the areas vibrant past and the 21st century.

CH Ranch has two impoundments. The first lake, which sits at the convergence of two seasonal creeks, encompasses an estimated four to five acres during average rainfall years. The waterbody, with an expansive concrete dam, has been stocked with baitfish, so the first phase of building a productive fishery is complete.

The lake's perimeter is shaded by huge live oak trees. The dappled shade and cool water create a park-like oasis that beckons people to relax and reconnect, with natureand each other.

The second smaller pond ranges between two and four acres during average rainfall years. In addition to the surface water, the ranch has four water wells.

The Living

CH Ranch features three distinct options for the best of Hill Country living. The three-bedroom/two-bath Rock House, built in 1984 and completely remodeled in 2021, is constructed from native rock gathered on the ranch. The home, featuring about 1,700 square feet of comfortable, well-appointed living space, features a 43 x 15 screened porch perfect for enjoying family and friends.

The detached 12 x 12 laundry/storage room is also constructed from rock. During the recent remodel a raised 24 x 12 deck was built over the top, creating a covered BBQ alcove underneath.

The Main House, a massive barndominium, is the ultimate expression of style and practicality. The three-bedroom/two-bath limestone-clad home, measuring about 3,000 square feet, is the focal point. With a spacious kitchen, living room and eye-catching limestone fireplace, the house is designed to make friends and family feel right at home.

The complete barn is 9,180 square feet (153 x 60) of which 3,000 square feet is a residence enclosed in a concrete block building. The barn's height is the equivalent of about 30 feet. Featuring all steel construction with cinderblock walls, the barn boasts four bays, each of which could accommodate a tractor-trailer rig. The entry includes an 11 x 60 covered porch with white wood railing.

The Hunters Cabin, rebuilt in the 1990s, sits about one-quarter mile from the main house. The two-bedroom/one-bath cabin with a kitchen and living room was constructed from granite collected on the ranch. A porch overlooking a seasonal creek, outfitted with a hot tub, is the perfect place to start or end the day.

Other infrastructure includes the Main Houses detached, cinder block garage (30 x 29) expansive enough to accommodate two tractors, a sheet metal garage with two rock cisterns (6 tall x 9 diameter), a 10 x 10 storage shed, and the original steel livestock barn.

The Opportunity

Accessibility. Privacy. Wildlife. Natural beauty. History. Unlimited potential.

CH Ranch offers everything that people look for in a Hill Country property but rarely, if ever, find. Dont miss the chance to claim it for yourself.

To experience the diversity of the CH Ranch for yourself, contact Howard W. Hood at (830) 739-3815. Listed at $11,900,000.